COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota
The COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota is an ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The state reported its first case on March 11, 2020.
COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota
March 11, 2020
100,757 (March 11)
3,561 (cumulative)
92 (current)
89,582
1,485
Out of the 49 counties with positive cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota, Burleigh and Cass lead the state for highest number of positive COVID-19 cases, with Burleigh totaling 13,695 and Cass county with 19,969.[1][2] In October 2020, North Dakota had the highest rate of COVID-19 cases of any U.S. state or nation in the world, although this had been attributed in part to extensive testing.[3]
North Dakota had early success in 2021 administering COVID-19 shots,[4][5] but as of September 4, North Dakota ranked 45th among the 50 U.S. states in the proportion of fully vaccinated residents.[6]
Timeline[edit]
March 2020[edit]
On March 11, the state's first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Ward County.[7] Governor Doug Burgum declared a state of emergency on March 13, stating that the government would follow guidance issued by the CDC, and did not have plans to immediately close schools.[8][9] That day, the Standing Rock Sioux and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa tribes began restricting access to their reservations.[10] On March 15, Governor Burgum announced that K-12 schools would be closed for at least a week from March 16–20 as a cautionary measure.[11]
On March 17, the state government confirmed four more cases, including two in Burleigh County, one in Cass County, and one in Ward County, for a total of five in the state. All five were people who had recently traveled outside North Dakota.[7] On March 18, the state confirmed two new COVID-19 cases had emerged from Morton County which were the first confirmed cases of community spread in the state.[12][13] On March 19, eight new cases were confirmed in Burleigh and Morton counties.[14][15] On March 20, 11 new cases were confirmed in Ramsey, Morton, Burleigh, and Pierce counties.[16][17]
On March 21, Burgum signed an executive order to allow COVID-19 testing to be conducted at pharmacies, and to provide emergency refills of prescriptions.[18] On March 25, an executive order was issued to expand worker's compensation coverage to first responders and health care providers who contract COVID-19.[19] Burgum announced that the state received a total of 11,700 unemployment claims in the past week.[20]
On March 27, North Dakota reported its first death related to COVID-19, involving a man in his 90's from Cass County with underlying health conditions.[21][22] On March 29, Governor Burgum requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government.[23]
April–July 2020[edit]
By April 1, the state had recorded 159 positive cases and three deaths in total.[24][25] On April 3, the state received $34 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration to ensure that state transportation would continue to function safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.[26] North Dakota received $18 million from the CARES Act with cities like Fargo getting $8 million, Bismarck getting $3.7 million, and Grand Forks receiving $3.4 million.[26] Tribes also received grant funding with Standing Rock obtaining $369,000 and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa receiving $191,000. Burgum also announced a pilot program for drive-through testing.[27]
On April 6, the state reported its fourth death.[28] By April 9, this had increased to six.[29] On April 18, North Dakota reported 90 new cases, with 68 in Grand Forks; an outbreak had been confirmed at the LM Wind Power manufacturing plant in Grand Forks.[30] On April 28, Governor Burgum announced that the state would begin to lift some of the business closures it had implemented in March, under its "Smart Restart" system.[31][32]